It is with great sadness that we inform you that Miss Phyllis Mary Evans, Headmistress of Ravenswood from 1962 to 1986, passed away on Friday 5 February 2016 at the age of 95.

Miss Evans made a significant contribution to education, particularly to the education of girls, and to Ravenswood. She had strength of conviction and an unwavering belief in God’s guidance. Her considerable teaching experience culminated in her appointment as Headmistress of Ravenswood School for Girls in 1962. For 25 years she devoted her life to the school and saw it grow in size and reputation.

Miss Phyllis Evans can be credited with making Ravenswood a more academic school, fostering academic rigour and in particular, the study of languages. Miss Evans ‘wanted every girl to reach her academic potential and particularly wanted to encourage the efforts of those who found their work difficult’. She was proud of the results in external examinations yet remained committed to Ravenswood being a non-selective school. Music flourished during her tenure. Kindle the Flame became the school song and the Music Festival, with House Choirs, was introduced. Miss Evans believed that ‘music and religion go hand in hand in the development of the human spirit’.

Her lifelong involvement in the education of both students and teachers received acknowledgement in a number of ways. In 1949 she became Honorary Secretary of the Teachers’ Guild in NSW. Later she was President (1967-1969) and in 1979 was made an honorary Life Member.

As a member of AHIGS (NSW), Phyllis Evans worked tirelessly, holding the roles of Executive Committee member (1966-1984), Treasurer (1971-1977) and President (1969 and 1980). Whilst on the Association of Independent Schools Industrial Relations Sub-Committee (1960-1986), her commitment to excellence in teacher quality saw her involved in the negotiation of the first Industrial Award for Teachers in non-government schools in NSW. Phyllis Evans was a delegate to several Parliamentary Committees and the Schools Commission. In 1983, her services to education in Australia were recognised through the award of an MBE.

Ravenswood was, in the words of the school song, her ‘treasured place’. The legacy of Miss Phyllis Evans has endured and will continue to do so for a long time to come. She experienced declining health since a fall in November last year and passed away at Whitehall Nursing Home, Lindfield on Friday of last week.

The Requiem Mass will be held at 10.30am on Tuesday 16 February at St James Church, 173 King St, Sydney.

Vale Phyllis Evans
requiescat in pace

Acknowledgements:
Robyn Robertson, Archivist
Marjorie Binns, Ravenswood - Educating Girls 1901-2001